Hadith Explanation

Convey an Ayah

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Convey from me even an Ayah of the Quran; relate traditions from Banu Israel, and there is no restriction on that; but he who deliberately forges a lie against me let him have his abode in Hell.” [Sahih Bukhari]

This hadith contains the following three important points:

1. It stresses the importance of acquiring knowledge of the Quran and Hadith and imparting it to others. Regardless of whether one has a little knowledge or a great deal, he or she must communicate it to others. There is no justification to leave inviting to the Message of Allah to those who are well-versed in this sphere. It is a duty upon every Muslim to learn something and pass it on. So much so that if a person knows even a single ayah/verse of the Quran, that is, a single injunction of Allah, they should communicate it to others.

2. It allows the communication of Jewish Traditions but this permission is subject to the condition that such Traditions are not against the elucidations of the Quran and Hadith.

3. There is a stern warning on attributing anything to the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) that he did not say. It is a grave offence and serious sin. Therefore, one should be very careful to quote only Sahih ahadith. Only Muhaddith are in a position to sort through weak ahadith and see what the grade of weakness is, i.e. if the hadith may be used since its meaning is supported by authentic ahadith even if its isnad is faulty.